Former city councillor Mariam Hamou accused of extorting and harassing London Mayor Josh Morgan
CBC
A former London, Ont. city councillor is accused of extorting and harassing Mayor Josh Morgan following a multi-week investigation by an outside police force, CBC News has learned.
A source with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to CBC News Thursday that Mayor Josh Morgan is the alleged victim in the case that saw Mariam Hamou arrested and charged earlier in the day by the St. Thomas Police Service.
In a brief statement sent after the courthouse had closed, a spokesperson with the St. Thomas force said its officers were asked to investigate the situation starting on Sept. 26, at the request of London police.
It said London police were not able to do the work because the individuals involved "potentially presented an institutional conflict of interest." Morgan is a member of the Police Services Board.
Police said their investigation led them to charge Hamou, 50, of London with one count each of extortion and harassing communications. The source told CBC News that the allegations extended beyond digital forms of communication.
Hamou was taken into custody Thursday afternoon and was released from St. Thomas police headquarters with a future court date in London, police said. No other information was provided.
Messages left with Hamou were not returned at the time of publication, but her comments will be added to this story, if received. Morgan declined to comment through his chief of staff, John Fyfe-Millar, who said the matter is now before the courts.
It's unclear whether the charges will impact Hamou's ability to serve on the city's Committee of Adjustment, which she has sat on since 2023. CBC News has requested that information from the city, and will update this story once a response is received.
Hamou previously served a partial term as Ward 6 councillor in London, becoming the city's first Muslim female councillor. She was elected in November 2021 by other councillors to fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of Phil Squire.
Hamou was among three incumbents who lost their seats in the 2022 municipal election, after being defeated by Sam Trosow, who received 48 per cent of the vote to her 41 per cent.
In addition to the Committee of Adjustment, Hamou was also a member of the task force responsible for reviewing how city councillors are paid, before resigning from it earlier this year.
Outside city hall, Hamou sits on the London Health Sciences Centre's Community Advisory Committee, and previously served as chair of the London Public Library board.
In late summer, Hamou was issued a cease and desist letter and was barred from the mayor's office.
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